Senior Showcase: 'Cats upperclassmen lead to Big Win over Hawks 47-6

Wednesday

Oak Ridge football's seniors made sure to leave their mark on Blankenship Field on Friday night, as they made play after play after play to defeat visiting Hardin Valley 47-6.

Oak Ridge football's seniors made sure to leave their mark on Blankenship Field on Friday night, as they made play after play after play to defeat visiting Hardin Valley 47-6.

Senior quarterback Rian Hall led the way for the Wildcats — rushing for three touchdowns and 85 yards on 14 carries and throwing for 124 yards and another score to fellow senior Robert "Exxon" Valdez for the first score of his career.

"It's always nice to get a big win on Senior Night," coach Scott Blade said. "We had a lot of firsts."

After a pair of perfect field goals from 31 and 28 yards out by senior Brett Beeler and a pair of short rushing scores by Hall, Oak Ridge's defense took away its second interception of the night.

Jemiah Hall halted the Hawks drive with the 'Cats second of four interceptions on the night off a Zak Clark tip. Four plays later, Valdez leaked into the corner of the end zone on a wheel route from 16 yards out to make it 26-0.

"Rian threw a good ball where I could get underneath the defender," Valdez said. "I'm really glad.

"I prayed to play to the best of my ability, and I knew I could do it. I finally showed up."

After halftime, Oak Ridge (7-1, 6-0 in District 3-AAA) put on more steam as Zak Clark got his rewards stepping in front of another Hawks pass and returning it 85 yards to the Hardin Valley 10.

"My dad every week says, 'When you gonna get a pick? When you gonna get a pick?'" Clark, a senior, said. "At least it happened tonight."

Over the last two weeks, Oak Ridge's defense has forced eight turnovers — seven of which were interceptions — and has held district opponents to a total of 37 points so far this season.

"The defense has played well," Blade conceded. "The key is the turnovers. We have gone back to basic fundamentals the last couple of weeks and our kids are getting better."

Hall would get his third rushing score on the next possession as he cut behind senior Cam Clark, back from illness, for a 14-yard dash and score.

Senior running back Matt Moore got in on the action on the next possession, bolting down the sideline 44 yards to make it 40-0 before giving others a chance to get into the game.

Nine players caught passes and six got rushing attempts on the night while the 'Cats tallied 449 yards of offense and limited Hardin Valley (4-4, 3-3) to 250.

Senior Ben Abbott also got in on the act late with his first catch.

Coach Blade noted just how much the seniors did to get the win.

"I think you see Chris Ramsey getting better," Blade said. "First time Wheeler is back since the Maryville game … Jalen Miller … I was also happy with the run game. Matt Moore hit the holes hard. Elliott (Normand) did as well. I think Rian (Hall) did, too.

"There are a lot of positives."

Moore led Oak Ridge rushing for 95 yards on eight carries. Miller, who had an injury early in the week, led the receivers with three catches for 41 yards. Wheeler had three for 27 yards in his return.